Modular merchandising display connector

ABSTRACT

A connector is described comprising a longitudinally extending central portion, a plurality of planar walls, radially extending from the central portion, and a plurality of hammer-shaped members interposed between the walls, and radially extending from the central portion. An asymmetrical channel is defined between each of the walls and the members for retaining inserts.

[0001] This invention relates to a connector for receiving inserts, andfor use with a modular merchandising display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002]FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a connector according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

[0003]FIG. 1b is an enlarged broken away perspective view of theconnector.

[0004]FIG. 1c is a top plan view of the connector.

[0005]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector retaining a sidegrid.

[0006]FIG. 3 is an enlarged broken away top plan view of the connectorretaining a plurality of side grids.

[0007]FIG. 4a is an enlarged broken away perspective view of theconnector retaining a pair of side grids.

[0008]FIG. 4b is a top plan view of FIG. 4a.

[0009]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modular merchandising displayincorporating a number of connectors of the present embodiment.

[0010]FIG. 6a is an enlarged broken away perspective view of the modularmerchandising display.

[0011]FIG. 6b is a top plan view of FIG. 6a.

[0012]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of amodular merchandising display incorporating a number of connectors ofthe present embodiment.

[0013]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a merchandise basket.

[0014]FIG. 9 a perspective view of a divider.

[0015]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a bottom frame, a pointof sale indicator, and the divider.

[0016]FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a connector according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017]FIGS. 1a-c illustrate an elongated connector 20 for receivingvarious inserts, as will be described. As shown in FIG. 1b, theconnector 20 has a substantially tube-shaped central portion 22 runningthrough its longitudinal axis. Four generally planar radial walls 24 a-dextend from the central portion 22 of the connector. As the walls aresubstantially identical, they are referred to generally by the referencenumeral 24. This numbering convention of omitting the alphabeticalportion of the reference numeral while discussing the feature generallywill be used throughout the specification.

[0018] Four radially-extending hammer-shaped members 26 a-d also extendfrom the central portion 22, and are interposed between the walls 24.Each of the hammer-shaped members 26 has a generally planar wall 28which connects to the central portion 22. At the distal end of the wall28, a counterclockwise-oriented hook 30 and a clockwise-oriented hook 32are each disposed. It is understood that in FIGS. 1b-c, the suffixes a-dare applied to the walls 28 and hooks 30 and 32 to indicate whichfeatures correspond with the respective hammer-shaped members 26 a-d.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1c, the walls 24 and the hammer-shaped members26 cooperate to define eight channels 34 a-h. It is understood that thenumber of walls and hammer-shaped members depicted is merelyillustrative, and hence the number of channels is also merelyillustrative. Each channel 34 has a flat side defined by the surface ofthe radial wall 24, and a hook side, defined by the surface of thehammer-shaped member 26. Thus, each channel 34 is asymmetrical. Byvirtue of its asymmetrical channels 34, the connector 20 is adapted toreceive and retain a variety of inserts, as will be described withreference to the following Figures.

[0020]FIG. 2 depicts the connector 20 retaining a side grid 36 a. Theside grid 36 a may be made of any conventional material, such as anappropriate gauge, or gauges, of wire. The side grid 36 a comprises aplurality of vertical bars 38 a-e and a plurality of horizontal bars 40a-i. As will be described in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 6a-b,a proximal vertical bar, such as 38 a of the side grid 36 a, is insertedinto one of the channels 34 of the connector 20. The connector 20prevents the vertical bar 38 a from exiting the channel 34 in a radialdirection relative to the connector's longitudinal axis, thus connectingthe connector and side grid 36 a.

[0021] In operation, the vertical bar 38 a is inserted longitudinallyinto the channel 34 so that the vertical bar is adjacent to the hookside of the channel. Thus, the hook 30 of the connector 20 engages thevertical bar 38 a, and prevents the side grid 36 a from exiting thechannel 34 in a radial direction. It is understood that the vertical bar38 e may be inserted in the connector 20 instead of the vertical bar 38a, or alternatively, the vertical bar 38 e may be inserted into a secondconnector 20 (not shown).

[0022]FIG. 3 depicts the connector 20 retaining a plurality of sidegrids 36 b-e substantially similar to the side grid 36 a described inFIG. 2. As shown, the side grids 36 b-e each have at least one proximalvertical bar 38 f-i, substantially similar to either of the verticalbars 38 a or 38 e of FIG. 2. The vertical bars 38 f-i of the respectiveside grids 36 b-e are retained in channels 34 a, 34 c, 34 e, and 34 g ofthe connector 20 so that the vertical bars are adjacent to the hook sideof the channels, retaining the side grids in a radial direction. In thisconfiguration, the side grids 36 are extending from the connector 20 atapproximately ninety degree intervals.

[0023]FIGS. 4a-b depict the connector 20 retaining a plurality of sidegrids 36 f-g substantially similar to the side grid 36 a described inFIG. 2. As shown, the side grids 30 f-g each have at least one proximalvertical bar 38 j-k. The vertical bars 38 j-k are insertedlongitudinally in channels 34 f and 34 g (FIG. 4b) of the connector 20so that the vertical bars are adjacent to the hook side of the channels,i.e., the hook 30 d of the connector 20 engages the vertical bar 38 j,and the hook 32 c engages the vertical bar 38 k. As noted above, thehooks prevent the respective side grids 36 from exiting the channels 34in a radial direction. In this configuration, the side grids 36 areextending generally parallel from the connector 20.

[0024] As illustrated by the foregoing Figures, the connector 20 canreceive one or more side grids 36, which is beneficial for creatingvarious configurations of side grids. As will be discussed now withreference to FIG. 5, the connector 20 enables modular connection of sidegrids 36.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, a set of connectors 20 are used with sidegrids 36 to create a merchandising display 41. The side grid 36 a hasconnectors 20 attached at each vertical edge in a manner described withrespect to FIG. 2. A side grid 36 h also has connectors 20 attached ateach vertical edge. The side grids 36 a and 36 h are linked togetherwith shelves 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50.

[0026] The shelves 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50 are used for receiving anddisplaying goods. Taken together, the linked side grids 36 a and 36 hand shelves 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50 form a self-supporting shelving unit52.

[0027] A central connector 20 a is used in a manner described withreference to FIG. 3 to connect the shelving unit 52 to substantiallysimilar shelving units 54, 56, and 58, creating the display 41. Thus,the display 41 is modular.

[0028] The channels 34 of the connectors 20 also allow the display 41 toreceive and retain panels 62 a-d for receiving graphics or advertisingmaterial. The panels 62 may display source-identifying informationrelated to the goods, or the retailer, or other information.

[0029] As depicted in FIG. 5, four shelving units 52, 54, 56, and 58 areconnected together, however, it can be appreciated that any number ofmodular merchandising displays could be achieved by inserting side grids36 into the channels 34 of the connectors 20 in differentconfigurations. For example, inserting side grids into a connector inthe manner of FIG. 4, and then adding shelves and two distal side gridscreates a set of side by side shelving units.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 6a-b, and using shelving unit 52 (FIG. 5) asan example, in operation a side grid, such as side grid 36 a (FIG. 2),is inserted longitudinally into the channel 34 e of the connector 20 sothat the vertical bar 38 a is adjacent to the hook side of the channel.Thus, the vertical bar 38 a is retained by hook 30 c in a radialdirection, as previously described. When coupled with a shelf, such asshelf 42, the side grid 36 is also retained in a longitudinal direction.

[0031] As mentioned above, the shelf 42 is one of the shelves used tolink the side grid 36 a to the side grid 36 h (FIG. 5). The shelf 42 hasa lateral bar 64 which is depicted adjacent to the vertical bar 38 b.The lateral bar 64 is connected to a front bar 66. At least oneconnecting bar 68 is interposed between the lateral bar 64 and the frontbar 66, and provides structure for retaining goods on the shelf 42.

[0032] The shelf 42 also has a hook bar 70, terminating in a hook 72.The hook 72 engages the side grid 36 a. FIG. 6b shows the horizontalbars 40 a and 40 b broken away to reveal the horizontal bar 40 c. Asshown, the hook 72 is engaged with horizontal bar 40 c.

[0033] In one embodiment, the hook 72 is formed at a length sufficientlyshort to create a bind between the lateral bar 64 and the vertical bars38. Thus, in the plane defined by the side grid 36 a, the vertical bars38 experience a bind force (denoted F_(B)) in a direction generallyoutward from the shelf 42. Contrariwise, the horizontal bar 40 cexperiences a hook force (denoted F_(H)) in a direction generally towardthe shelf 42. It can be appreciated that these competing forces F_(B)and F_(H) in different locations on the side grid 36 a will result inminor distortion of the side grid generally. The distortion of the sidegrid 36 a generally is evident in a distortion of the vertical bar 38 a.As the vertical bar 38 a distorts, some portions of the vertical barpress against the flat side of the channel 34 e and some portions of thevertical bar press against the hook side, thus locking the side grid 36a in the channel in a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal retentionis in addition to the previously described radial direction retention.The longitudinal locking of the side grid 36 a in the connector 20 maybe unlocked by removing the shelf 42.

[0034] The panel 62 a is inserted into the channel 34 d of the connector20. In one embodiment, the panel 62 a is of a deformable material of apredetermined thickness, such that upon insertion of the panel 62 a inthe channel 34 d, the panel is partially compressed by hook 32 b. Thus,the panel 62 a is retained in the connector 20, and restricted fromradial movement. Additionally, the distance between the connectors 20retaining the panel 62 a is fixed by virtue of their attachment to theside grid 36. Thus, the panel 62 a is retained between connectors 20.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 7, an alternative merchandising display 81is depicted. The display 81 uses connectors 20, side grids 36, andpanels 62 e-f, in a manner previously described with reference to theforegoing Figures. The display 81 comprises shelving units 82, 84, 86,and 88 for receiving and displaying goods. The shelves may be similar tothe shelves 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50, or shelves as will be described withreference to FIGS. 9 and 10. Merchandise baskets 90 a-b are disposed onthe exterior of the display 81.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 8, the basket 90 a comprises a plurality oflateral bars 92 a-u. The lateral bars 92 a-u are attached to connectingbars 94 a-c. A U-shaped front bar 96 is connected to the connecting bar94 c and the lateral bars 92. Together the bars 92, 94, and 96 definethe basket 90 a. The basket 90 a has hooks 98 a-b for attaching thebasket to a side grid 36 (FIG. 7). It is understood that the basket 90 bis substantially the same as the basket 90 a.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the shelving units 82, 84, 86, and88 are defined by a plurality of shelves, for example, shelf 100. Theshelf 100 has a divider 101. As shown in FIG. 9, the divider 101comprises a plurality of lateral bars 102 a-f connected by connectingbars 104 a-d. Hooks 106 a-d are disposed on the divider 101 forconnecting the divider to a bottom frame 108 (FIG. 10).

[0038] The bottom frame 108 comprises a plurality of lateral bars 110a-n connected by connecting bars 112 a-g. The connecting bars 112 c-eterminate in hooks 114 c-e.

[0039] In operation, the hooks 114 c-e engage the side grids 36 in amanner similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 6a-b. A sidebar 115 is used to engage and distort the side grids 36 (FIG. 7),similar to lateral bar 64 (FIG. 6a). A point of sale indicator 116 maybe attached to the bottom frame 108 for displaying information about thegoods.

[0040]FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a connector,denoted 220. This embodiment enjoys some the features of the previousembodiment, and these features retain the same reference numerals. Inthis embodiment, the radial walls 24 a-d, and radially-extendinghammer-shaped members 26 a-d, extend from a solid core 222, instead ofthe central portion 22 described with reference to FIGS. 1a-c.

[0041] It is understood that all spatial references, such as vertical,horizontal, radial, and lateral are only for the purposes of explanationof the drawings. This disclosure shows and describes illustrativeembodiments, however, the disclosure contemplates a wide range ofmodifications, changes, and substitutions. Such variations may employonly some features of the embodiments without departing from the scopeof the underlying invention. Accordingly, any appropriate constructionof the appended claims will reflect the broad scope of the underlyinginvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector for detachably retaining an insert,the connector comprising: a central portion; a first wall extending fromthe central portion; a second wall extending from the central portion,the first and second walls defining a channel between them; and a hookdisposed on the second wall and extending into the channel, such thatthe insert is engaged by the hook when the insert is disposed in thechannel, thereby retaining the insert from movement in a firstdirection.
 2. The connector of claim 1 further comprising means fordistorting the insert when the insert is disposed in the channel,thereby retaining the insert from movement in a second directionperpendicular to the first direction.
 3. The connector of claim 1wherein the second wall is a hammer-shaped member.
 4. The connector ofclaim 1 wherein the insert is a side grid.
 5. The connector of claim 1wherein the insert is a panel.
 6. A connector for detachably retainingan insert, the connector comprising: a central portion; a first wallextending from the central portion; a second wall extending from thecentral portion, the first and second walls defining a channel betweenthem; a hook disposed on the second wall and extending into the channel,such that the insert is engaged by the hook when the insert is disposedin the channel, thereby retaining the insert from movement in a firstdirection; and means for distorting the insert when the insert isdisposed in the channel, thereby retaining the insert from movement in asecond direction perpendicular to the first direction.
 7. The connectorof claim 6 wherein the second wall is a hammer-shaped member.
 8. Theconnector of claim 6 wherein the insert is a side grid.
 9. The connectorof claim 6 wherein the insert is a panel.
 10. A method for retaining aninsert, comprising: providing a first wall; providing a second wall todefine a channel between the first and second walls; providing a hookextending into the channel, such that the insert is engaged by the hookwhen the insert is disposed in the channel, thereby retaining the insertfrom movement in a first direction; and distorting the insert when theinsert is disposed in the channel, thereby retaining the insert frommovement in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. 11.A connector, comprising: a longitudinally extending central portion; aplurality of planar walls, radially extending from the central portion;and a plurality of hammer-shaped members interposed between the walls,and radially extending from the central portion.
 12. The connector ofclaim 11 wherein an asymmetrical channel is defined between each of thewalls and the members.
 13. The connector of claim 11 wherein each of themembers comprises a wall connected to the central portion and a distallyextending hook portion.
 14. A shelving unit comprising: a pair of planarwalls; a shelf extending between the walls, and exerting a force on thewalls such that the walls are distorted in a first direction; aplurality of connectors removably attached to the walls, the connectorsbeing locked to the walls by the force exerted by the shelf.
 15. Theshelving unit of claim 14 further comprising a panel disposed betweenthe connectors.
 16. The shelving unit of claim 15 wherein the connectorsdefine channels for receiving the walls and the panel.